Greece: A World of Destinations. Alluring cities, untouched countryside, and hundreds of islands!

Best known for its captivating and dazzling islands, Greece’s mainland is also full of surprises for those willing to explore its treasures. For history fanatics, wine and food lovers, adventure enthusiasts, or simply sea and sun seekers, Greece a treat for everyone. From charming stone-built villages hidden among the Greek mountains boasting unimaginable rivers and gorges, to secluded idyllic islands with gorgeous beaches still blissfully under the radar, to those attracting visitors by the thousands, as well as cities bursting with cultural heritage, rich gastronomic culture and nightlife, visitors drawn to Greece will experience memories that will last forever.

Greece: a place to fall in love with

Beauty in Greece is exquisite; timeless; unspoiled. It was in this sacred landscape that love was born. Greece is the birthplace of the winged God Eros, the son of Aphrodite; the God that with his quiver and arrows inspired artists and writers over the centuries to praise the virtues of love. Whether you are looking for an ideal honeymoon destination or just a romantic escape, the beauty and diversity of the Greek landscape forms the most romantic backdrop to celebrate your love.

Search for your fairy-tale romance in the Greek islands, a perfect honeymoon destination bathed in sunlight all year long. Explore with your other half the islands on a cruise and enjoy sun-kissed beaches, superb natural landscapes, cosmopolitan resorts and traditional settlements alike or taste exquisite local dishes. Santorini, Mykonos and Corfu rank among the most popular romantic getaways in Greece but don’t forget to pay a visit to the rest of the Aegean and Ionian islands as well!

Knossos

Relaxation – Wellness

With one of the best climates in the world, with a unique variety of nature, as well as one of the healthiest diets in the world, Greece is the ideal proposal for psychological and physical health and the search for well-being! The ancient Greek writers and philosophers praised the thermal springs, where the Nymphs offered the divine gifts of health, wellbeing, strength, and spirit invigoration.

Thermal and mineral natural therapeutic springs are appearing at 850 places all over Greece. Their beneficial action offers you the opportunity to receive treatment for chronic conditions in a natural way, whereas the healing properties of seawater, seaweed, or sea mud help you conquer stress and anxiety, and improve your mental performance.

Astypalaia

Family Vacations in Greece

“The thing I like the most about Greece is the feeling you have that you are part of a big happy family. The sense of warmth and intimacy makes you forget all about having to go back where you came from”. These are the words most visitors use to describe their feelings while on vacation in Greece. Smiley faces and hospitality, family warmth and peace, security, untouched nature and magnificent food give a unique combination, making Greece number one family destination worldwide. Each time of the year has different activities to offer, due to the variety of the Greek geology. The islands of the Aegean and Ionian Sea, Crete, Halkidiki are just a minimum of the ideal family destinations. Along with the children, visit the sea museums and parks located on various islands of the country and enjoy adventurous water sports activities.

Milos

Luxury

Everyone has the need to experience the feeling of a luxury trip with high-class amenities. Greece is privileged to be one of the nations that offer luxurious, glittering holidays. Greek islands are synonymous with cosmopolitanism, while large cities, like Athens and Thessaloniki, attract people with high expectations from all over the globe. The prestige that grew from the 1960s onwards, with famous names in Greek society among world celebrities, like Aristotle Onassis, Stavros Niarchos, Maria Callas, Melina Merkouri, and many others, catapulted Greece into one of the top destinations for luxury tourism. The facilities guarantee demanding travellers an unforgettable stay. Beauty treatments, rejuvenating body therapies and beautifully prepared delicate food are just some of the attractions that Greece holds is store for its exclusive visitors.

Aegean Rally

Sailing

Sailing in Greece is a richly rewarding experience. An insider’s tip: the best period for those who wish to sail during winter, is the “Alkyonides” days, the so-called “short summer”, in the middle of January. This is a good time to appreciate the beauty of stunning seascapes, picturesque villages, archaeological sites, and wonderful pine-clad landscapes.

In the serene atmosphere of the islands enjoy real Greece as you mingle with the locals in tavérnas and in “kafeneía”, and become part of the true “Island culture”.

Feel free to create your own itinerary; sailing really is the only way to get away from it all!

Greek gastronomy

Gastronomy

Greek gastronomy has recorded a history of around 4,000 years, with especial characteristics based on pure and unique quality goods produced on Greek land. In fact, it was Archestratos who wrote the first cookbook in history (330 B.C.).

In Greek nutritional tradition the gustative result blends harmonically with the high nutritional value. Dozens of scientific studies have shown the positive effect of a balanced Greek diet on a person’s health, beauty and longevity. In addition, the nutritional culture of the Greeks has traditionally added an extraverted social dimension to the table, combining gustative satisfaction with recreation and communication, and thus maintaining even today some overtones from ancient feasts.

In contrast to what many people believe about Greek cuisine, you will discoverer that “moussaka”, “souvlaki” and “choriatiki” (Greek salad) are not the only worthwhile Greek dishes. Greek cuisine consists of a large variety of dishes that can fully satisfy the gastronomic quests of both vegetarians and meat lovers.

Island Hoping

The islands are the main characteristic of Greece’s morphology and an integral part of the country’s culture and tradition. Greek sovereign land includes 6,000 islands and islets scattered in the Aegean and Ionian Seas, of which only 227 islands are inhabited. This is a truly unique phenomenon for the European continent. The Greek Archipelago takes up 7,500 km of the country’s total 16,000 km coastline, offering a highly diversified landscape: beaches stretching over many kilometers, sheltered bays and coves, sandy beaches with sand-dunes, pebble beaches, coastal caves with steep rocks and dark colored sand typical of volcanic soil and coastal wetlands.

Delfoi

Archaeological Sites – Strolling through history!

Greece is literally a vast archaeological site. As the country was already inhabited from prehistoric times, traces of human civilization can be found everywhere, in all corners of the land. The past penetrates forcefully into the present and the future, creating a precious, indelible ‘patchwork’.

The major archaeological sites in Greece every year attract hundreds of thousands of visitors. People from all over the world come to see at close hand the origins of western civilization and to feel the power and vitality exuded by these sites. Constant care is taken by archaeological services and support services, so that one has access to the whole range of information and can pleasantly enjoy the tour.

WHERE TO GO:

AKROPOLIS ATHENS

Athens

Athens is the historical capital of Europe, with a long history, dating from the first settlement in the Neolithic age. In the 5th Century BC (the “Golden Age of Pericles”) – the culmination of Athens’ long, fascinating history – the city’s values and civilization acquired a universal significance. Over the years, a multitude of conquerors occupied Athens, and erected unique, splendid monuments – a rare historical palimpsest. In 1834, it became the capital of the modern Greek state and in two centuries since it has become an attractive modern metropolis with unrivalled charm.

A large part of the town’s historic centre has been converted into a 3-kilometre pedestrian zone (the largest in Europe), leading to the major archaeological sites(“archaeological park”), reconstructing – to a large degree – the ancient landscape.

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki (520 km. north of Athens) is the second largest city of Greece and the most important centre of the area. Built near the sea (at the back of the Thermaïkos Gulf), it is a modern metropolis bearing the marks of its stormy history and its cosmopolitan character, which give it a special beauty and charm.

Escape to the Peloponnese, where Myth meets history. Monuments from every period of the eventful history, great archeological sites, such as ancient Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycenae and Tiryns (Tiryntha), theTemple of Apollo Epicurius, Byzantine churches, unique villages and alluring castles amidst stunning natural beauty, mountains and forest, rivers and caves, make this part of Greek land ideal for holidays, touring, sports and culture. Not to mention that the Peloponnese is surrounded by the Greek sea, with lovely beaches, sandy and smooth coasts on the west – rocky and lacy on the east.

Cyclades

The most famous island group in the Aegean Sea comprises some of the most beautiful islands in the world! Gorgeous sandy beaches, architecture in white and blue, traditional lifestyle, folk music, warm, hospitable people and barren landscapes with isolated chapels turn a trip to the Cyclades into a lifetime experience.

Millions of Greek and foreign visitors come to the Cyclades every year to enjoy the dazzling light and the crystal blue waters, in the quest of the paradise on earth.

Ionian Islands

The temperate climate; the deep and cool sea waters; the mountains; the lush vegetation; the cultural heritage; and the cheerfulness of the inhabitants, make the Ionian Islands the ideal place for a holiday as well as rest and relaxation.

What is more, the traits of the Ionian Islands are perfectly combined with a flawless tourism infrastructure, excellent hotel accommodations, restaurants, diving centers, sea sports, cultural events, and a multitude of sights, historic monuments and museums worth visiting.

Dodecanese

The island complex of Dodecanese in south-eastern Aegean is the sunniest corner in Greece. Twelve large islands and numerous smaller ones with crystal clear waters, sandy or pebbly beaches, important archaeological finds, imposing Byzantine and medieval monuments and unique traditional settlements are waiting to be discovered. If you are desperately seeking to discover lesser-known, unspoiled destinations visit Leros or Pserimos. But there is always Rhodes and Kos, larger and more cosmopolitan islands, awaiting to offer you strong, and treasured memories. Just take your pick!

Crete

Crete

Crete is the largest island in Greece, and the fifth largest one in the Mediterranean Sea. Here, you can admire the remnants of brilliant civilizations, explore glorious beaches, impressive mountains capes, fertile valleys and steep gorges, and become part of the island’s rich gastronomic culture. Crete is, after all, a small universe teeming with beauties and treasures that you will probably need a lifetime to uncover!

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NEO Magazine. Established 2005. NEO Magazine is published monthly in New York by Neocorp Media Inc.